Meet Teri Delane

We recently connected with Teri Delane and have shared our conversation below.

Teri, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, is not just about surviving hardship—it’s about my pain into purpose. I grew up in a home filled with chaos and violence, and that kind of upbringing can either break a person or force them to develop an incredibly strong will to survive. For a long time, I didn’t know how to cope, and I turned to heroin at 14, a path that nearly ended my life multiple times.

But at 20, someone believed in me enough to give me a second chance, and that changed everything. I learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring suffering—it’s about what you do with it. I took the love and structure that saved me and made it my mission to give that same radical love to others, especially young people who, like me, never felt safe in their own homes.

My ability to bounce back comes from knowing what it’s like to feel like nothing—and refusing to let anyone else believe that about themselves. It’s in my choice to stand up, not just for myself, but for every kid who needs someone to show them they are worth fighting for. Resilience, for me, is love in action.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

For the past 27 years, Life Learning Academy has been a home, a school, and a lifeline for young people who need a real chance. We are a public charter high school on Treasure Island, where we’ve built something truly unique—a safe, structured, and loving community where students don’t just survive, they thrive.

What makes Life Learning Academy special is that we remove the barriers that keep young people from succeeding. We provide free housing for students in need, so no one has to choose between school and survival. We offer a workforce program that connects students to real careers, a culinary program led by our incredible chef, a garden, hands-on mentorship, and on-campus therapists who help students navigate trauma and build emotional resilience.

But we don’t stop at graduation. We have a strong alumni network with after-graduation housing and continued support, because we believe that once you’re part of Life Learning Academy, you’re part of a family for life.

We’ve been active on Treasure Island all these years, and right now, we are preparing for our biggest endeavor yet—transforming an old school on Treasure Island into something extraordinary. This next step will allow us to grow and expand our impact, making sure that even more young people have access to the radical love, structure, and opportunity that have defined Life Learning Academy since day one.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most impactful qualities that have shaped my life and work are commitment, belief in change, and the power of purpose.
1. Commitment – When you commit to something fully, there is no backup plan, you show up every day, no matter how hard it gets. Commitment means pushing forward even when the odds are against you. Life Learning Academy exists because we committed to building a place where young people feel safe, supported, and capable of success. For those just starting out, my advice is simple: when you commit, do it all the way. No shortcuts, no excuses—just relentless dedication.
2. Belief in Change – I know people can change because I did. I went from overdosing as a teenager to earning a PhD and building a school that saves lives. I’ve seen young people walk through our doors feeling hopeless, only to discover their own strength. Change is possible, but you have to believe in it, especially when others don’t. Never let anyone tell you that people—especially those society has given up on—can’t change…They can, and they do, when someone believes in them.
3. The Power of Purpose – Passion and purpose are stronger than any obstacle. When you believe in something with every fiber of your being, nothing can stop you. I didn’t have money, resources, or guarantees when I started Life Learning Academy. But I had an unshakable purpose—to create a place where young people could feel safe and valued, no matter where they came from. something, you’ll always find a way to make it happen.
For anyone just starting out: commit fully, believe in change, and follow your purpose without hesitation. When your passion is stronger than your fear, nothing can stop

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I grew up in addiction. Chaos. A family caught in this cycle. But let me be clear—I hold no regrets, no resentment, no bitterness. Because through it all, my family showed me something deeper than the struggle: strength. Perseverance. The will to keep going in even when the odds were stacked against us.
It is because of them that I have the spirit of never giving up. Their fight, their survival—it lives inside me. And for that, I am forever grateful.
No matter what we went through, they are a part of me. And I will carry them with love, always.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Llasf.org
• Instagram: Teri Lynch Delane
• Facebook: Teri Lynch DeLane

Image Credits

Students have all given permission